Wringer release mechanism



Nov. 28, 1939.

A. W. ALTORFER WRINGER RELEASE MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 29, 1936 ATTE'JENEYE 1939- A. w. ALTORFER WRINGER RELEASE MECHANISM Filed June 29, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F'INV T?! I' ATTEIENEYE lllllll Nov. 28, 1939. A. w. ALTORFER 2,181,

WRINGER RELEASE MECHANISM Filed June 29, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTEIHNEYE Patented Nov. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE I I WRINGER MECH ANISM I 10 Claims.

This invention is directed to release mechanism for roll wringers and has for one of its objects the provision of a novel release mechanism cooperative with a roll wringer mechanism by means of which the contact pressure between the wringer rolls may be instantly released.

Another object is to provide a manually operable element adapted to operate the release mechanism when manipulated in any one of several directions, to the end that an operator has option of several movements of the manual means whereby to effect release.

A further object is to provide a release mechanism comprising a bar passing across the top frame of the wringer and having operable connection with release devices, the bar being longitudinally movable transversely of the frame and capable by such movement of operating the release devices, the bar being also rotatably movable in the frame and capable by such rotation of likewise operating the release mechanism.

An additional object is to provide a release mechanism comprising a bar member passing across the top frame of the wringer and having operable connection withrelease devices, the bar being longitudinally movable transversely of the frame and rotatable in the frame and a manually contactable easily accessible member attached to the bar by means of which longi-- tudinal or rotary movement of the bar, or a combination of such movements, may be brought about to operate the release devices.

A further object lies in the provision of a release mechanism for roll wringers comprising a J rotatable bar disposed longitudinally of the top frame of a wringer having means on its ends adapted to hold the top frame upon the lower frame whereby to capable of such holding action, mechanism cooperative with the bar to prevent such rotation and easily accessible rotatable and rockable' means for disabling the preventive mechanism whereby to permit such rotation to release the top frame. j

An additional object is .to provide arelease mechanism as aforesaid having manual means cooperative with the'longitudinal bar capable of rotating the bar in direction opposite to that requiredlfor releasing the top frame whereby to replace the bar in holding position.

A further object lies in the provision of a pressure resetting means in which the manual means above mentioned consists of a handle that is operative to rotate the bar to replace it in holdhold the rolls in pressure ie-" latlon, the bar being rotatable to render it inmg position, but which is normally disconnected from the bar so that the bar is free to rotate to release position without movement of the handle in accompaniment with it.

. Other objects will appear in the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a wringer embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational viewsimilar to Fig. 10 1 with certain parts removed and other parts shown in section to permit clear view of interior parts to be described; v

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmental sectional elevational view taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 3; 15

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 3 with portions broken away to show underlying parts;

Fig. 6 is a fragmental view similar to Fig. 5 showing certain parts in operated position;

Fig-7 is an endwise elevational view taken on line 1-1 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a fractionated view of parts disclosed in Fig. 7 showing certain parts in operated position;

Fig. 9 is an endwise sectional elevational view taken on line 9-4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective fragmental view showing details to be referred to;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmental detail view taken from the position of line ll-Il in Fig. 3; 30

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmental detail view taken on line 12-12 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 13 is a fragmental detail view taken on line l3--l3 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmental sectional elevational view similar to Fig. 12 showing parts in altered relative positions as will be explained;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary elevational sectional view taken on line l5-I5 in Fig. 12; and

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15 showing certain parts in-operated position.

Figs. 1 and 2 disclose a wringer embodying my invention. While the invention may be adapted to use'with any roll wringer mechanism, I

.show it as embodied with a wringer comprising a lower frame I! including upright end portions II and I2 and a lower transverse portion l3, the structure of the latter. being such as to include drain aprons extending at opposite sides as shown.

The lower frame structure is attached to a head structure ll by means of which it is supported upon the post structure of a washing machine not shown. A detachable upper frame i5 is adapted p side portion 4 I, and when bar 36 is rotated to place 46, of curve 38, thence abutment members bars.

rotatably supported by the upper frame I6 in bearing blocks 23 and 24 housed in cage structures 26.

Cages 25 are provided with laterally extending portions 26 at their lower extremities and through these pass retainer bars 21 which have their upper ends aiiixed in the upper frame l5 as at 23. Bars 21 are made slidable in extensions 26. Coil springs 23 confined on the bars react between frame l5 and the extensions to resiliently force blocks 23, and roll l6, away from the top frame, the extent of such movement being limited by 21' on the lower ends of the It will be apparent that when the top frame is held down in locked relation with the lower frame,

springs 29 become operative to force the upper roll into pressure contact with the lower roll, and that when the upper frame is unlocked it may be forced upwardly by the springs to relax them and remove the pressure between the rolls.

It is to means for locking and unlocking the upper frame as aforesaid that my present invention is principally directed, as will'now be described.

Fig. 3 illustrates a bar longitudinally in frame I! and rotatably supported in bracket portions 3| and 32 of frame l6.

Adjacent the ends of bar 36, recesses are formed which have flat bottom faces 36' lying approximately upon a center line of the bar, see Fig. 10.

Fig. 3 discloses that the lower frame structure includes upright end, portions 33 and 34, and Fig. 7 illustrates in detail the fashioning of portions 33, with which portion 34 is identical.

Portions 33 and 34 are positioned to lie just outside the bearings 3| and 32, to align with the recesses of bar 36 and at their upper ends, each of the portions are cut away in a manner to form a recess having a vertical side 36, a horizontal bottom side 31 tangentially curved upwardly at 38 through 90 degrees, thence-inwardly upon a member so disposed radial line 33 to point approximately the center,

vertically at 46' a short distance to the top of the structure.

Fig. '7 clearly illustrates that the inner point 46 of the radial face 33 approximately aligns with the axial center of bar 36, and that the radial face forms a hook adapted to engage the face 36' of bar 36 when the bar is rotated to position face 36' in horizontal relation. 1

Fig. 8 illustrates the structure of bearing 3| bearing 32 being identical, as including a vertical that by means of faces 36' of the bar 36 engaged under faces 33 of the lower frame, as in Fig. 9, the top frame l6 may be securely locked in lowered position on the lower frame.

With the top frame in lowered, locked position, springs 23 are considerably compressed due to the abutment of roll 6 upon roll l1 and thus the upper roll is held in resilient pressure relationship with the lower roll. With parts in this position, the bar 36 may obviously be rotated to place the faces 36' in vertical alignment as in Fig. 8,; to permit vertical movement of frame I5 in response to the pressure of springs 23.

As already noted, to release the. top frame l5 from the lower frame, it is but necessary to rotate bar 36 in a clockwise direction, Fig. 7, to permit escapement of bar 36 from the hook formed by face 33. To restore the parts to locked position it is only necessary'to place the upper frame in such position that the lower edge of face 36' lies slightly below the point 46, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8, whereupon manual rotation of the bar in a counter-clockwise direction will bring about cam action between face 36' and point 46 to force the top frame I5 downwardly to eventually place the parts in locked-relationship as in Fig. 9. The cam action noted is facilitated by abutment of face 4| against face 36 whereby side movement of bar 36, due to the forced engagement of face 36' with point 46, is prevented.

To accomplish the described manual rotation of bar 36, I provide an arm, member 42, disposed at the end of the wringer opposite the head I4 and rotatably mounted upon an extending end, 43 of bar 36.

A short distance from the end of bar 36 and adjacent the inside line of arm member 42 is an annular groove 44 in which is disposed a tooth 45, see Fig. 10.

Riding in the groove is a pawl member 46 which is mounted to be freely movable on a stud 4! disposed eccentrically of bar 36 on the inner surface of arm 42.

The interior and exterior contours-of pawl 46 are of irregular form and its movement upon stud 41 is limited by a stud 43 secured to the inner face of arm 42. The exterior contour of the pawl is such that stud 43 co-operates to prevent it from falling out of association with groove-44 although it is free to fall out of working engagement with associated parts as will be noted.

The inner face of the pawl is fashioned to have a hook 43 which is engageable with tooth 45. The pawl is gravitationally biased to fall toward the tooth-to engage it when bar 36 is'rotated to unlocked position, as in Figs. 8 and 6. The tooth is so disposed on bar 36, with respect to faces 36' that the tooth lies in the position shown in Fig. 6 when face 36' lies vertical as in Fig. 8.

Rotation of arm 42 to the position shown in Fig. 6 places pawl 46 in position to fall by gravity toward bar 36 to position the hook 43 in engagement with tooth 45.

With the hook so engaged, rotation of arm 42 in counterclockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 6, obviously brings about rotary movement of'bar 36 to accomplish the. described cam action between faces 36' and points 46 to lock the top frame.

It is to be noted that when arm 42 is rotated to be positioned in alignment with the wringer frame, as in Fig. 5, the bar 36 is in position of Fig. 7 and the function of pawl 46 is therefore .transversely of the top frame and movably supported therein in bearings 53. The function of the shaft will'be explained shortly.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate that plate 6| has an upper portion 54 passing over shaft 52 and por-. tions 55 directed downwardly at each side thereof, the latter portions being fashioned to form cam faces having oppositely disposed inclining and declining faces 56 and 51. Extending approxima'tely/ from the joining point, 56, of the faces, and between the declining cam faces 51 is an aperture through which shaft 52 passes. Be-

low the shaft the body of plate 50 rejoins to form a downwardly directed portion 60. In this portion is hooked one end 61 of a coil spring 62 which has several convolutions aboutthe bar and its opposite end affixed thereto by means of a pin or screw 63.

Spring 62 has a dual function, one being to urge plate 50 downwardly and the other to urge rotation of bar 30 in clockwise direction, the purpose of which rotation has already been noted.

Referring again to the functioning of bar 30, it has been noted that clockwise rotation thereof brings about release action of the locking devices and it will now appear that, through the action of spring 62 the bar is biased to normally operate the locking parts to release position.

In order to retain the bar 30 in locked position, except when release is desired, I provide elements co-operating between the bar and plate 50 as follows:

As shown best in Figs. 11, 13 and 14, plate 56 has an opening 64, and disposed to engage an edge of this is a tooth 65 secured to bar 30.

Tooth 65 is so disposed on bar 30 that when it lies in vertical'position as in Fig. 13, the faces 30' lie in looking position as in Fig. '7, and when the tooth lies in horizontal position, Fig. 14, as would be brought about by clockwise rotation of bar 30, the faces 30' lie in vertical or unlocked position as in Fig. 8.

The elements described are adapted to act as a latching mechanism whereby when arm 42 is actuated as described to rotate bar 30 to locking position, the tooth 65 is moved to engage the edge of opening 64 as in Fig. 13 and thus prevent return rotation of bar 30.

In practical use the downward or looking manipulation of arm 42 is continued to the point where engagement of tooth 65 is accomplished. This would correspond to a position of arm 42 slightly negative of a plumb line position, such as is shown in Fig. 5.

It will be apparent that, upon completion of its working stroke, as produced by an operator, the operator will abandon the arm, whereupon the arm will fall back to the plumb position. This latter movement will release the working pressure between hook 49 and tooth 45 and the pawl will be free to fallbackwardly against stud 48 as in Fig. 5 and there will be no operative connection between the arm and bar. Thus the bar 36 will be left free to rotate to release position when the restriction of plate 50 is removed from tooth 85. During this rotation the arm remains stationary.

It is now to be noted that shaft 52 carries dual studs 66 extending upon either side thereof as in Figs. 15 and 16, and in Fig. 12 it is shown that the studs normally lie in the apex portion between cam faces 56 and 51 of plate 50. It has already been noted that' shaft 52 is longitudinally and rockably movable in its bearings 53 and reference to Fig. 14 will make apparent that longitudinal movement of the shaft in either direction will engage the studs 66with cam faces 56 or 51 to elevate plate'5ll and thus withdraw the same from engagement of tooth 65, whereupon bar' 30- is free to rotate as urged by spring 62 to unlock the top frame.

Reference is now made to Fig. 15 wherein it is shown that the studs 66 normally lie in horizontal alignment with plate 50 resting evenly upon both studs.

In Fig. 16 it is shown that rocking movement of shaft 52 in either direction elevates one of the studs to bring about elevation of plate 56, which movement is productive of the same result as that brought about by the above described longitudinal movement of the shaft.

The foregoing will make clear that with the parts in locked position, as in Fig. '7, a substantially small longitudinal. or rocking movement of shaft 52 will be effective to elevate plate 50 to release tooth 65 whereupon spring 62 becomes effective to rotate bar 30 to permit its escapement from hook faces 39 and thus release the top frame and pressure between the rolls.

Under conditions of practical use the release movements described take place with considerable rapidity and to absorb the reverse rotative motion of bar 30. when acting under release conditions, I provide elements shown in Figs. 3 and 4, these consist of a plug 10, made from rubber or the like, attached as at 1| in the upper part of top frame l5.

A stud 12 is affixed to bar 30 in position to contact plug -10 when the bar is rotated to release position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4. The plug obviously provides a cushion means for absorbing impact resulting from rapid rotative movement of shaft 30.

Since the useful function of the mechanism described is utilized principally when emergencies arise, it is necessary that release operation be quickly responsive to simple effortless manipulation of an easily accessible portion of the mechamsm.

To this end I provide bars 61 affixed to the outer ends of shaft 52. The bars are disposed longitudinally with respect to the upper frame l5, and are here shown as having their ends connected by transverse portions 68. The bars 61 may be of any desired dimensions and are to be considered complete without the transverse portions. When used, the transverse portions and the ends of bars 61 are preferably fashioned so as to extend above the top surface of upper frame l5 to render the device more accessible.

Dotted lines in Fig. 1 indicate that either end of bars 61 may be depressed to rock the shaft 52, and dotted lines in Fig. 2 indicate that shaft 52 will move longitudinally in response to manual pressure on bar 61 from either side. Either movement, or a combination of them will obviously result in release of roll pressure in the manner described.

Means by which the mechanism is restored to working position have already been described.

The foregoing has described a particular embodiment of my invention. Modifications of structure are obviously possible without alteration of the principle involved. I do not wish to be'limited in structure, function, or application of the principle disclosed except within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A wringer having in combination, a lower frame, a' separable top frame, 'rolls in the lower frame, pressure means for the rolls exerting pressure from the top frame, the pressure being increased when the top frame is moved toward the lower frame and greatest when the top frame is fixed upon the lower frame, mechanism for moving the top frame toward the lower frame in.

pressure means, including a opposition to the shaft disposed longitudinally of the top frame and mounted for rotation therein, cams on said shaft, hook members on the lower frame engageable by said cams in such relation that rotation of the shaft causes the cams to engage. the hooks and draw the associated top frame toward the lower frame, latch mechanism locking the shaft and cams against reverse rotation to fix the top frame on the lower frame in pressure applying position, means to rotate the shaft comprising a handle mounted for pivotal movement co-axial with the shaft, and a latching device connecting the handle and shaft in such a manner that the handle may be moved in one direction with respect to the shaft, whereupon the latching mechanism connects the handle and shaft after which the handle may be moved in the opposite direction with the shaft rotating in' accompaniment therewith to bring the top frame into fixed position as aforesaid, the latched relation being removed after completion of the above mentioned movement.

2. A wringing device including in combination,

a lower frame,'upper and lower wringer rolls disposed therein, a releasable upper frame, spring pressure means carried by the upper frame, means for connecting the upper frame to the lower frame in a tensioned manner comprising a rotatable rod passing horizontally through the upper frame, cam fashioned latch mechanism at the opposed ends of said horizontal rod operatively connecting with the lower frame, when the rod is rotated in one direction a manual control handle connected to one end of the horizontal rod adapted to rotate the latter to connect the upper frame to the lower frame under pressure, and safety release mechanism comprising latch mechanism carried in the upper frame and normally holding the horizontal rod in a fixed rotated position, manual means actuating said latch mechanism tov disable the same to permit release rotation of the rod in opposite direction, said manual control handle having ratchet connection with said rod whereby, after release rotation of the rod, the handle may be placed in connection with the rod to enable an operator to rotate the rod by means of the handle to actuate said pressure means after which latter operation the handle may be disconnected so as to permit release rotation of the rod without accompanying movement of the handle.

3. A wringing device including in combination, a lower frame, upper and lower wringer rolls disposed therein, a releasable upper frame, spring pressure means carried bythe upper frame, means for connecting the upper frame to the lower frame under pressure comprising a rotatable rod passing horizontally through the upper frame, cam fashioned latch opposed ends of said horizontal rod operatively connecting with the lower frame, when the rod is rotated in one direction a manual control handle connected to one end of the horizontal rod adapted to rotate the latter to connect the upper frame to the lower frame under-roll pressure, and safety release mechanism comprising latch mechanism carried inthe upper frame and normally holding the horizontal rod in a fixed rotated position, manual means actuating said latch mechanism to disable the same to permit release rotation of the rod in opposite direction, said manual control handle having ratchet connection with said rod whereb after release rotation of the rod, the handle may tion with the rod to enable an operator to rotate the rod by means of the handle to actuate said pressure means, after which latter operation the handle is automatically disconnected so as to permit release rotation of the rod without accompanying movement of the handle.

4. A wringer having in combination, a lower frame, a. separable top frame, rolls in the lower frame, pressure means for the rolls exerting pressure from the top frame, the tension being great,- est when the top' frame is lowered and fixed to the lower frame and being released when the top frame is separated and'elevated from the lower frame, means for lowering the top frame to apply pressure comprising a shaft mounted for rotation in the top frame, mechanism connecting said shaft and lower frame in such a manner that rotation of the shaft in one direction causes lowering movement of the frame in opposition to the pressure means and upward movement of the top frame causes reverse rotation of the shaft, latching mechanism locking the shaft against said reverse rotation which may be released to permit the reverse rotation, a manually operated handle by the handle may be connected with the shaft to rotatethe shaft to tensioned position and then released from the shaft to permit independent release rotation of the shaft.

5. A wringer havingin combination, a lower frame, a separable top frame, rolls in the lower frame, pressure means for the rolls exerting pressure from the top frame, the pressure being greatest when the top frame is lowered and fixed to the lower frame and being released when the top frame is separated and elevated from the lower frame, means for lowering the top frame to apply pressure comprising a shaft mounted for rotation in the top frame, mechanism connecting said shaft andlower frame in such a manner that rotation of the shaft in onev direction causes lowering movement of the frame in opposition to the pressure means and upward movement of the causes reverse rotation of the shaft, latching mechanism locking the shaft against rotation which may be released to is then automatically released from the shaft to permit independent releaserotation of the shaft.

mechanism at the be placed in connecspring members secured to said upper frame for applying pressure between the rolls, cam operated latch connections between the upper frame and lower frame for connecting the upper frame to the lower frame, safety release mechanism comprising a readily accessible manually operable member carried by the upper frame associated with said latch mechanism and carried by the upper frame for controlling the operation of said before mentioned cam operated tension applying means, and a handle releasably connected to the cam to restore the same to pressure applying position subsequent to release of the pressure applying means.

7. A wringing device including in combination, a lower frame having upper and lower wringer rolls therein, bearings for the upper roll, an upper frame, spring pressure means for applying pressure between said rolls, said bearings and spring pressure means carried by the upper frame, a manually operated cam mechanism for connecting the upper frame to the lower frame under spring pressure and means foroperating said mechanism comprising a handle mounted for pivotal movement on said upper frame, the same having devices connecting it with said cam mechanism which are normally disconnected but capable of being operated to connect the handle with the cam, whereby movement of the handle brings about operation of the cam to operate the locking mechanism.

8. A wringer device including in combination, a frame, rolls associated with the frame, pressure mechanism for the rolls, a separable head member, manually operated safety release mechanism for releasing pressure and controlling the separation'of the head from the frame, a manually operated arm on said head member for re-applying pressure, and a connection between the roll pressure means and the manually operated member to permit release of pressure without accom-' panying movement of the manually operated arm.

9. In a wringer, a frame member equipped with conventional wringer rolls, springs operatively engaged with said rolls for pressing them toward each other, a top frame member engaged with said springs, a rock-shaft carried by the top frame member and equipped with cam formations, projections on the frame adapted to be engaged by said cam formations upon rotatgm of said shaft in one direction to cause cap member to be moved in the direction to compress said springs, mounted upon the frame on an axis concentric with said shaft, cooperating means on said lever and said shaft for detachably engaging one with the other to effect rotation of said shaft in the last-named direction, said means operating to automatically disengage as said lever attains a predetermined point in its movement, a trip latch means including a member carried by said shaft and a member carried by the frame disposed for interengagement to lock said shaft against reverse rotation as said lever attains substantially said last-named point in its movement, and manually operable means mounted in the wringer frame for effecting forced release of said latch mechanism whereby to effect automatic reverse movement of said shaft without effecting movement of said lever.

10. In a conventional wringer including a pair of wringer rolls and springs for forcing them toward each other, a top frame engaged with said springs, a rock-shaft carried by said top frame, cam formations on the rock-shaft, devices on the frame disposed for'engagement with said cam formations upon rotating the rock-shaft in one direction, thereby to move said top frame in the direction to compress the springs, a lever pivotally mounted on the bar on an axiswith the rock shaft, a tooth on the latter, a gravity actuated pawl pivotally mounted on the lever and disposed to engage said tooth at one point in the movement of said lever relatively to said rock-shaft when the latter is in non-spring-compressing position and adapted to release itself from said tooth following rotation of said shaft to its spring compressing position by said lever, a latch mechanism comprising a cam member pivotally mounted on the frame and a tooth carried by the rock-shaft and adapted to become automatically interengaged upon moving said lever from its first-named position to a position beyond that wherein said pawl is automatically released from said first-named tooth, said lever being self movable to a position wherein said pawl disengages itself from the first-named tooth following interengagement of said latch means, and a manually operable member mounted in the wringer frame and adapted to effect'reiease of said latch means for causing said springs to restore said rock- 'shaft to its initial position without effecting movement of said lever.

ALPHEUS W. ALTORFER.

a manually operable lever pivotally 

